S4theD: Day 40

It's been a joy to journey back through some old musical haunts, share some current appreciations, and even gather some new tunes along the way. Thank you for joining me over the last 40 days of musical reflection.

I leave you with one last song in anticipation of tomorrow and in light of our redemptive standing secured by a Merciful Substitute.

Blessings to you and yours this resurrection weekend.


So Shall We Live
Saviour: The Story of God's Passion for His People
sung by: Steve Green, Larnelle Harris, Wayne Watson, Twila Paris, and Wintley Phipps

Light of the world with hope fills the sky
For gone is the power of the darkness
The tomb that held the Son of God
Breaks with a cry from heaven
"He who was dead is risen!
Up from the grave ascended!
The reign of death is ended!

"So shall we live, for His cross has gone before
Christ has spoken all our freedom
He's broken all our bondage
And opened God's heavens to man

O, saints rejoice and lift up your voice
For we bear the wounds of our Saviour
And just as Christ was crucified
We who are buried with Him
Are raised in newness with Him
We share His resurrection
Our blessed liberation

So shall we live, for His cross has gone before
Christ has spoken all our freedom
He's broken all our bondage
And opened God's heavens
He's opened God's heavens to man

So shall we live, and so shall we reign
In glory and power
Now and forever

So shall we live
Blessed is the name of the Lord
So shall we live
Blessed is the name of the Lord
AMEN

S4theD: Day 39

A year ago today my grandfather passed away. Dying Christians often have profound insights just before they pass from earth to heaven. Johnny Cash sure did. I think my grandfather would have liked this last Johnny Cash album which he put together before his own home-going...well...if we didn't tell my grandfather it was Johnny Cash I think he might have liked it!

Much to remember, much to ponder...but today really is a Good Friday.

Ain't No Grave
by Johnny Cash

There ain't no grave can hold my body down
There ain't no grave can hold my body down
When I hear that trumpet sound I'm gonna rise right out of the ground
Ain't no grave can hold my body down

Well, look way down the river, what do you think I see?
I see a band of angels and they're coming after me
Ain't no grave can hold my body down
There ain't no grave can hold my body down

Well, look down yonder Gabriel, put your feet on the land and see
But Gabriel don't you blow your trumpet 'til you hear it from me
There ain't no grave can hold my body down
Ain't no grave can hold my body down

Well, meet me Jesus, meet me. Meet me in the middle of the air
And if these wings don't fail me I will meet you anywhere
Ain't no grave can hold my body down
There ain't no grave can hold my body down

Well, meet me mother and father, meet me down the river road
And momma you know that I'll be there when I check in my load
Ain't no grave can hold my body down
There ain't no grave can hold my body down
There ain't no grave can hold my body down

S4theD: Day 38

Jerusalem, My Happy Home
by James Jordan & The Voices of Anam Cara

Jerusalem, my happy home,
When shall I come to thee?
When shall my troubles have an end?
Thy joys when shall I see?

There David stands with harp in hand
As master of the choir:
Ten thousand times that man were blessed
That might this music hear.

There Mary sings Magnificat
With tune surpassing sweet,
And all the holy bear their part,
There sitting at her feet.

There Magdalen hath left her moan,
And cheerfully doth sing
With blessed saints, whose harmony
In every street doth ring.

Jerusalem, my happy home
God grant that I may see
Thine endless joy, and of the same
A true partaker be!
A true partaker be!

S4theD: Day 37

It's pouring down rain...again...the splish splash seems appropriate.

Splish Splash
by Little Richard

Splish Splash I was takin a bath
Long about a Saturday night
Rub Dub just relaxin in the tub
Thinkin everything was alright
Well I stepped outa the tub
Put my feet on the floor
I wrapped the towel around me
And I opened the door
And then a splish splash
I jumped back in the bath
Well how was I to know there was a party goin on!

They was a splishin and a splashin
Reelin with the feelin
Movin and a groovin
Rockin and a rollin
Hey yeah!

Bing Bang I saw the whole gang
Dancin on my living room rug
Yeah, flip flop they was doin the Bop
All the teens had the dancin bug
There was Lolipop with Peggy Sue
By Golly Miss Molly was even there too
Well a splish splash I forgot about the bath
I went and put my dancin shoes on, yeah!

I was a rollin and a strollin
Reelin with the feelin
Movin and a groovin
Splishin and a splashin
Yeah!

Yeah, I was a splishin and a splashin
I was a rollin and a strollin
Yeah, I was a movin and a groovin
We was a reelin with the feelin
I was a rollin and a strollin
Movin with the groovin
Splish Splash, Yeah
Splishin and a splashin
One time, I was a splishin and a splashin
I was a movin and a groovin
Yeah, I was a splishin and a splashin

S4theD: Day 36

Ok, before you judge (I promise I'll let you once you hear me out!) I have to tell y'all why I liked this song in high school. Really I only have two reasons: 1) I thought it was pretty cool that Scott Stapp wrote this song after he found out he was going to be a father. I never thought of it as sappy, so I liked it. Nothing like Butterfly Kisses which I absolutely HATED! And 2) In 1999, Creed was one of the first bands to introduce classical instruments into pop rock. I was hooked the moment I heard this hidden track on their album Human Clay. Their blending of cello and violin with bass and electric guitar left me with a passion that only Apocalyptica, Mannheim Steamroller, Trans Siberian Orchestra and the like have been able to slightly remedy.

Ok, now you may judge.

With Arms Wide Open (Bonus Track)
by Creed

Well I just heard the news today
It seems my life is going to change
I close my eyes, begin to pray
Then tears of joy stream down my face

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open

Well I don't know if I'm ready
To be the man I have to be
I'll take a breath, I'll take her by my side
We stand in awe, we've created life

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
Now everything has changed
I'll show you love
I'll show you everything

With arms wide open
With arms wide open
I'll show you everything ...oh yeah
With arms wide open..wide open

If I had just one wish
Only one demand
I hope he's not like me
I hope he understands
That he can take this life
And hold it by the hand
And he can greet the world
With arms wide open...

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
Now everything has changed
I'll show you love
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open

I'll show you everything..oh yeah
With arms wide open....wide open

S4theD: Day 35

Oh the irony. This was one of my favorite songs in high school. When I was tired of homework, mad at a teacher (yes, that happened on occasion), or desperately longing for spring or summer break I'd find myself singing along with and impersonating the wee British lads in their protest against education.

And now I'm a teacher. I wonder what song my kids sing when they're tired of homework, mad at me, or desperately longing for break?


Another Brick In the Wall, Part 2
by Pink Floyd

We don't need no education
We dont need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone!
All in all it's just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.

We don't need no education
We dont need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave those kids alone
Hey! Teachers! Leave those kids alone!
All in all it's just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.

"Wrong, Do it again!"
"If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding. How can you
have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat?"
"You! Yes, you behind the bikesheds, stand still laddy!"

S4theD: Day 34

Now this is a great extended metaphor! Maybe not as pop and memorable as Tom Cochrane's Life Is a Highway, but pretty darn intriguing nonetheless. I do love me a good painted word picture!


Green Screens
by Sleeping at Last

If only worry could make it change,
Suddenly our world would take new shape;
On miles and miles of green screens
Love hangs on invisible strings.

So roll up your sleeves,
This could take some time.
Everything waits on assembly lines - but not here.
In the emergence of plan,
We'll be surrounded by hands.

The storyboard outlines our escape
And second guesses will be erased;
On the cutting room floor
Everything falls into place.

If only our futures could be tamed,
Suddenly our past would have no say.
And in the emergence of film, pouring overhead,
Our bodies relearn how to feel.
And somehow the screen embodies every ideal
As the orchestra so sweetly reveals,
And the background artist carries us there...
The conflict compliments repair.

We're all on the edge of our seats,
We're all on the edge of our seats
Until the end.

S4theD: Day 33

The Norwegians have done a pretty good job covering one of the most covered cover songs ever. I stumbled across this version by Espen Lind, Askil Holm, Kurt Nilsen & Alejandro Fuentes which has made me curious as to what these guys have done individually. Apparently they're super famous...in Norway. I think Kurt Nilsen has done a couple things with Willie Nelson. Any one ever heard of any of these guys?


Hallelujah
by Lind, Holm, Nilsen, & Fuentes

I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

There was a time you let me know
What's was going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
Remember when I moved in with you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Maybe there’s a God above
But all I’ve ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
It’s not a cry you can hear at night
It’s not somebody who has seen the light
It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah

S4theD: Day 32

I find it interesting that certain events evoke connections with certain descriptive song lyrics...whether or not those lyrics have anything to do with the event the mind connects them to. This week there have been some wasting time events, there have been some events that have felt like chasing cars in no particular direction, and there have been many a time when I've cried out "I need your grace". I don't think any of the events of my week were what Snow Patrol had in mind when they put together today's song, but they're images nevertheless are the ones my mind has gravitated to since early this morning.


Chasing Cars
by Snow Patrol

We'll do it all
Everything
On our own

We don't need
Anything
Or anyone

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world?

I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel

Those three words
Are said too much
They're not enough

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden
That's bursting into life

Let's waste time
Chasing cars
Around our heads

I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden
That's bursting into life

All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes
They're all I can see

I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things
Will never change for us at all

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world?

S4theD: Day 31

Nine more days! This Lenten season has gone by really quickly!

The Wild Hunt
by The Tallest Man on Earth

There is a Crow Moon coming in while you keep looking out
It is the hollow month of March now sweeping in
Let's watch phenomenons arise out of the darkness now
Within the light she is my storm and heroine
And old machines abandoned by the ancient races stand
I hear them humming down below in Hollow Earth
Oh hell I guess I don't know why I will go under too
But just for now I let the spring and storm return

I left my heart to the wild hunt a-coming
I live until the call
And I plan to be forgotten when I'm gone
Yes I'll be leaving in the fall

And I will sleep out in the glade just by the giant tree
Just to be closer when my spirit's pulled away
I left a nervous little boy out on the trail today
He's just a mortal to the shouting cavalcade

I left my heart to the wild hunt a-coming
I live until the call
And I plan to be forgotten when I'm gone
Yes I'll be leaving in the fall

Let's open up the windows, have Satan departing now
And we'll be even when the blues fall down like hail
Hell I don't even care no more about cadejo now
If he's a white one or a black one on the trail

I left my heart to the wild hunt a-coming
I live until the call
And I plan to be forgotten when I'm gone
Yes I'll be leaving in the fall

Yes I'll be leaving in the fall

S4theD: Day 30

It's been an eventful day on all fronts. Today's song comes to fill the need of a little grounding. I needed to be reminded of these truths, of this hope, of this surety, of this Rock. And what better, more apt reminder than to hear these truths from the mouths of my own friends and community. What a gift!


O Christ Our Hope
Christ Community Church Choir
Good Friday Service 2006

O Christ, our Hope, our heart’s Desire,
Redemption’s only Spring!
Creator of the world art Thou,
Its Savior and its King.

How vast the mercy and the love
Which laid our sins on Thee,
And led Thee to a cruel death,
To set Thy people free.

But now the bonds of death are burst,
The ransom has been paid,
And Thou art on Thy Father’s throne,
In glorious robes arrayed.

O may Thy mighty love prevail
Our sinful souls to spare;
O may we come before Thy throne,
And find acceptance there!

O Christ, be Thou our lasting Joy,
Our future great Reward!
Our only glory may be it be
To glory in the Lord.

All praise to Thee, ascended Lord;
All glory ever be
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Through all eternity.

S4theD: Day 29

Have I ever mentioned that I love music? Well, I do. A lot. And one of the smoothest most pleasant to listen to male voices I've ever heard happens to be one of my favorite male voices of those I've ever heard.


Unforgettable
by Nat "King" Cole & Natalie Cole

Unforgettable, that's what you are
Unforgettable though near or far
Like a song of love that clings to me
How the thought of you does things to me
Never before has someone been more

Unforgettable in every way
And forever more, that's how you'll stay
That's why, darling, it's incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am unforgettable too

No never before
has someone been more ooh

Unforgettable in every way
And forever more, that's how you'll stay
That's why, darling, it's incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am unforgettable too

S4theD: Day 28

This song reminds me of first friendships.


Rag Doll
by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

When she was just a kid her clothes were hand me downs
They always laughed at her when she came into town
Called her rag doll, little rag doll
Such a pretty face should be dressed in lace

I'd change her sad rags into glad rags if I could
My folks won't let me cause they say that she's no good
She's a rag doll, such a rag doll
Though I love her so I can't let her know

Rag doll, I love you just the way you are

S4theD: Day 27

Yes, it's a blast from high school, but more than that it's just a plain 'ol nice song to play with the windows rolled down in the car on an 85 degree day. No, I'm not depressed. Yes, I do think it's cool that this song has Spanish in it!

Loser
by Beck

In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey
Butane in my veins and I’m out to cut the junkie
With the plastic eyeballs, spray-paint the vegetables
Dog food stalls with the beefcake pantyhose
Kill the headlights and put it in neutral
Stock car flamin’ with a loser and the cruise control
Baby’s in reno with the vitamin d
Got a couple of couches, sleep on the love-seat
Someone came in sayin’ I’m insane to complain
About a shotgun wedding and a stain on my shirt
Don’t believe everything that you breathe
You get a parking violation and a maggot on your sleeve
So shave your face with some mace in the dark
Savin’ all your food stamps and burnin’ down the trailer park

Yo. cut it.

Soy un perdedor
I’m a loser baby, so why don’t you kill me?

Soy un perdedor
I’m a loser baby, so why don’t you kill me?

Forces of evil on a bozo nightmare
Ban all the music with a phony gas chamber
’cuz one’s got a weasel and the other’s got a flag
One’s on the pole, shove the other in a bag
With the rerun shows and the cocaine nose-job
The daytime crap of the folksinger slob
He hung himself with a guitar string
A slab of turkey-neck and it’s hangin’ from a pigeon wing
You can’t write if you can’t relate
Trade the cash for the beef for the body for the hate
And my time is a piece of wax fallin’ on a termite
That’s chokin’ on the splinters

Soy un perdedor
I’m a loser baby, so why don’t you kill me?
(get crazy with the cheese whiz)
Soy un perdedor
I’m a loser baby, so why don’t you kill me?
(drive-by body-pierce)
(yo bring it on down)
Soooooooyy....

(I’m a driver, I’m a winner; things are gonna change I can feel it)

Soy un perdedor
I’m a loser baby, so why don’t you kill me?
(I can’t believe you)
Soy un perdedor
I’m a loser baby, so why don’t you kill me?
Soy un perdedor
I’m a loser baby, so why don’t you kill me?
(schprechen sie deutches, baby)
Soy un perdedor
I’m a loser baby, so why don’t you kill me?
(know what I’m sayin’? )

S4theD: Day 26

I recently went for one of my longest runs since November. Right about the time I started hurtin' and feelin' my lack of fitness this song came on my iPod. Imagine those first two lines as you're running down a "lonesome" road. The realization just hit you: trying to train for a half marathon in a month probably isn't the brightest thing you've ever done. Now you get the picture. Let's just say that this song, while I do like it for what it is, will not be appearing on any future running playlists!


Look Down That Lonesome Road
by Among the Oak and Ash

Look up, look down that lonesome road
Lay down your little head and cry my love
Hang your little head and cry

The darkest night I ever saw
Was the day I left my home my love
The day I left my home

The two best friends must part some day
And why not you and I my love
Why not you and I

Oh why oh why oh why my love
Why not you and I

S4theD: Day 25

A Thousand Years
by Sting

A thousand years, a thousand more,
A thousand times a million doors to eternity
I may have lived a thousand lives, a thousand times
An endless turning stairway climbs
To a tower of souls
If it takes another thousand years, a thousand wars,
The towers rise to numberless floors in space
I could shed another million tears, a million breaths,
A million names but only one truth to face

A million roads, a million fears
A million suns, ten million years of uncertainty
I could speak a million lies, a million songs,
A million rights, a million wrongs in this balance of time
But if there was a single truth, a single light
A single thought, a singular touch of grace
Then following this single point, this single flame,
The single haunted memory of your face

I still love you
I still want you
A thousand times the mysteries unfold themselves
Like galaxies in my head

I still love you
I still want you
A thousand times the mysteries unfold themselves
Like galaxies in my head
On and on the mysteries unwind themselves
Eternities still unsaid
'Til you love me

S4theD: Day 24

Most people know, I like odd things. My humor is odd, my tastes are odd, I'm odd. So humor me when I say that I like Julian Smith and appreciate his humor. As a former homeschooler and native Nashvillian I think he's pretty stinkin' clever and funny! For more clever lighthearted comedy visit Julian on YouTube. Even if you don't find him humorous you would at least appreciate his video Techno Jeep.

Red Eye Flashes Twice
by Julian Smith

This is a song for every person in the world...

Everybody's trying to get their picture looking nice,
But they act like a camera is some foreign device,
I've got somethin' to ask you and I'll keep it concise,
WHAT ARE YOU STUPID! Red eye flashes twice!

I was trying to snap a picture of my buddies, Bill and Bryce,
Bill takes lots of pictures, so he gave me some advice,
He moved before the second flash, "photographer" yeah right!
WHAT ARE YOU STUPID, BILL! Red eye flashes twice!

All your friends will hate your guts if you don't stand still,
Your family will disown your butt and probably have you killed,
If you have a girlfriend, which we all know you don't,
But if you do she'll leave you, and then you de-fin-ite-ly won't...
Have a girlfriend...

The famous person in this picture wasn't very nice,
I just wanted his picture, and his pizza slice,
With just one flash he walked away as if I had head lice,
WHAT ARE YOU STUPID! Heh... I've seen all your movies twice...

All your friends will hate your guts if you don't stand still,
Your family will disown your butt and probably have you killed,
If you have a girlfriend, which we all know you don't,
But if you do she'll leave you, and then you de-fin-ite-ly won't...

See it's much easier to just assume that the flash is gonna go two times and to just wait there for a second, rather than move and risk all these people in your life hating you forever and wanting you dead, because every time they look at their picture, they don't see the picture, they see, "Oh, there's 'So-and-So'. He ruined my picture IN FRONT OF THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT. I FREAKIN' HATE THAT GUY!"

All your friends will hate your guts if you don't stand still,
Your family will disown your butt and probably have you killed,
If you have a girlfriend, which we all know you don't,
But if you do she'll leave you, and then you de-fin-ite-ly won't...
You'll be single, for the rest of your life.
And you won't have any pictures of yourself either...

S4theD: Day 23

Downtown Girl has probably been a Song for the Day on several different occasions, but this is simply my favorite Jim Fidler song with words. He has some great instrumental songs, but I still found myself coming back to this one...may be because it's a nice pick-me-up for a rainy, nasty, tornado-y day!

On another note, did y'all know that Jim Fidler is Christina Aguilera's cousin? There's your trivia for the day!


Downtown Girl
by Jim Fidler

Well, one fine day in the month of June,
She's a downtown girl, she's a get around girl,
I figured that I'd write me a silly little tune,
She's a downtown girl for sure.

As she likes waking up with her hair messed up,
She's a downtown girl, she's a get around girl,
She likes waking up with her hair messed up,
She's a downtown girl for sure.

Well, I took her to the tavern for to have a pint of beer,
She's a downtown girl, she's a get around girl,
She was dancing and flirting with everybody there,
She's a downtown girl for sure.

As she likes waking up with her hair messed up,
She's a downtown girl, she's a get around girl,
She likes waking up with her hair messed up,
She's a downtown girl for sure.

Well, we went to the regatta for to see the goings on,
She's a downtown girl, she's a get around girl,
I looked the other way when I looked back she was gone,
She's a downtown girl for sure.

As she likes waking up with her hair messed up,
She's a downtown girl, she's a get around girl,
She likes waking up with her hair messed up,
She's a downtown girl for sure.

Then I went to her house to meet her mother and her father,
She's a downtown girl, she's a get around girl,
When I got to the door they confused me with another,
She's a downtown girl for sure.

As she likes waking up with her hair messed up,
She's a downtown girl, she's a get around girl,
She likes waking up with her hair messed up,
She's a downtown girl for sure.

So, if you ever go out for to have a pint of beer,
She's a downtown girl, she's a get around girl,
And you see her coming towards you, then you'd better steer clear,
She's a downtown girl for sure.

As she likes waking up with her hair messed up,
She's a downtown girl, she's a get around girl,
She likes waking up with her hair messed up,
She's a downtown girl for sure.

As she likes waking up with her hair messed up,
She's a downtown girl, she's a get around girl,
She likes waking up with her hair messed up,
She's a downtown girl for sure.

S4theD: Day 22

Cheers to Baby Reategui!

OLE!
by Bouncing Souls

Ole, ole, ole, ole,
Ole, ole!
Ole, ole, ole, ole,
Ole, ole!

Bouncing souls no one can beat us
We drink beer and wear Adidas
Anywhere we get the itch
We're off to find a proper pitch
Lace your Sambas get on out
Off we go to kick it about
Win or lose we're having fun
We won't quit until we're done
We got heart when we play
Take you on any day!

Ole, ole, ole, ole,
Ole, ole!
Ole, ole, ole, ole,
Ole, ole!

Bouncing souls no one can beat us
We drink beer and wear Adidas
Anywhere we get the itch
We're off to find a proper pitch
Lace your Sambas get on out
Off we go to kick it about
Win or lose we're having fun
We won't quit until we're done
We got heart when we play
Take you on any day!

S4theD: Day 21

The Long and Winding Road
by The Beetles

The long and winding road
That leads to your door
Will never disappear
I've seen that road before
It always leads me here
Lead me to your door.

The wild and windy night
That the rain washed away
Has left a pool of tears
Crying for the day.
Why leave me standing here?
Let me know the way.

Many times I've been alone
And many times I've cried,
Anyway you'll never know
The many ways I've tried.

And still they lead me back
To the long, winding road
You left me standing here
A long, long time ago
Don't leave me waiting here
Lead me to your door.

But still they lead me back
To the long winding road
You left me standing here
A long, long time ago
Don't keep me waiting here
Lead me to your door.